Lost brother, sister rescued in forest

Santa Barbara News-Press 26 July 2005

Hildy Medina

LOS PADRES -- A 65-year-old Santa Barbara man and his 63-year-old sister, lost during a five-day-long hiking trip in Los Padres National Forest, were rescued Sunday and are in good condition.

Charles Maunz and his sister, Marilynn Prins, of Phoenix, were spotted shortly before 10 p.m. by a sheriff's helicopter. The pair had left the Niro campground on July 18 and were expected back in Santa Barbara on July 23, authorities said.

When the two had not returned for a scheduled potluck dinner, friends and family immediately notified authorities.

About 20 volunteers with the county sheriff's search-and-rescue team and U.S. Forest Service personnel set out Sunday morning, spending all day and most of the evening looking for the stranded hikers.

The brother and sister were found near the Sisquoc River and were flown to safety, authorities said.

Mr. Maunz's wife, Billie Maunz, praised the efforts of the rescue workers.

"They would not leave until they were found," she said.